Cover system for a side-dump container

ABSTRACT

A deployment apparatus for a flexible cover sized to cover a side-dump container comprises first and second swing arm assemblies pivotally mounted at a pivot point to opposite sides of the container. A drive assembly connected to the roll tube of the flexible cover is operable to rotate the roll tube so that the flexible cover winds around the roll tube. The drive assembly is slidably supported on one of the swing arms so that the mechanism translates along the length of the swing arm as it winds the flexible cover around the roll tube. A stop is provided on the swing arm between the pivot point and the free end to limit the translation of the drive assembly along swing arm. In another form, the drive assembly is fixed to a swing arm that is slidably received in a pivoting spring mechanism.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a cover or tarping system for acontainer, especially a dump body on a vehicle. The invention isparticularly suited for side-to-side cover systems and side-dumpingvehicles.

[0002] A wide array of open-topped containers is provided for storingand hauling various materials, ranging from refuse to agriculturalproducts. When the open-topped container is carried by vehicle, a coversystem is highly preferable to protect the contents from the elementsand to eliminate the effects of wind as the vehicle travels along theroad. Just as there are many types of open-topped containers, there arean equal number of types of cover systems for these containers, andespecially cover systems for dump bodies on vehicles.

[0003] In one particular type of system, the cover or tarpaulin isconveyed from one long side of the vehicle to the other side toalternately cover or expose the contents of the container. In somesystems, a spring-biased deployment apparatus is utilized in which atorque generated by a number of torsion spring causes the cover to bedeployed. In these types of systems, a motor, such as an electric or ahydraulic motor, is used to provide powered deployment of the cover. Insome systems, the motor operates directly upon bail arms that areattached to a free end of the tarpaulin. In other systems, the motordrives a roll tube to which the free end of the flexible cover isconnected. The motor rotates the roll tube so that the tarpaulin windsand unwinds around the bar.

[0004] In most side-to-side cover systems—i.e. cover systems that moveacross the width of the container from one long side to the other side—amotor is required due to the extremely long and heavy tarpaulin. Onesuch system of this type is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,002,328 to WalterMichel. In this system a telescoping arm is pivotably mounted to one endof the vehicle container body. A drive motor is mounted to the free endof the telescoping arm, which motor is then connected to the roll tubeof the flexible cover. As the motor is operated to rotate the roll tube,the tube rolls along the end cap of the container to wind or unwind thetarpaulin from around the roll tube.

[0005] The use of the side-to-side spanning flexible covers iscomplicated when applied to a side-dumping container. One container ofthis type is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,480,214 to Ralph Rogers. Asshown in FIG. 1, the side-dump trailer 10 includes a vehicle frame 11that supports a dump body 13 that spans the length of the trailer. In acommon application, the dump body 13 is configured to haul rock, gravel,dirt, rip rap, etc.

[0006] The side-dump trailer 10 of this type is configured so that itcan be tipped from either side of the trailer 11. Thus, the dump body 13is provided with a pair of rocker pin assembly 15 on opposite sides ofthe body. Each rocker pin assembly 15 includes an axle 16 that ismounted within a saddle support assembly 18 connected to the vehicleframe 11. A pivot assembly cylinder 20 is mounted between the vehicleframe 11 and the top of the dump body 13.

[0007] When the vehicle is being driven on the road, the dump body is inits hauling position 13′ as shown in phantom lines. However, when it isdesired to dump the load, the pivot pin 16 can be released from thesaddle support assembly 18 on one side of the vehicle frame 11. Thepivot assembly cylinder 20 is then actuated to push against the top ofthe dump body 13 causing it to pivot about the axle 16 and saddlesupport assembly 18 on the opposite of the vehicle. Alternatively, therocker pin assembly 15 can be released on the opposite side of thevehicle so that the dump body 13 can pivot on the other side of thevehicle frame 11.

[0008] While side-dumping vehicles such as vehicle 10 are veryversatile, they present difficulties for the mounting and control offlexible cover systems. The present invention addresses and solves thesedifficulties.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] A deployment apparatus is provided for a flexible cover sized tocover an open-topped container, the flexible cover connected at one endto the container and having an opposite free end connected to a rolltube. In one aspect of the invention, the deployment apparatus includesa first swing arm assembly pivotally mounted at a first pivot point to afirst end of the container and a second swing arm assembly pivotallymounted at a second pivot point to a second end of the container. Thefirst swing arm assembly includes a first spring mechanism, a firstswing arm retained by the first spring mechanism and having a first freeend extending from the first spring mechanism toward the open top of thecontainer. The second swing arm assembly includes a second springmechanism, a second swing arm retained by the second spring mechanismand having a second free end extending from the second spring mechanismtoward the open top of the container.

[0010] A drive assembly is connected to one end of the roll tube and isoperable to rotate the roll tube so that the flexible cover winds aroundthe roll tube as it is supported by the first swing arm. The first andsecond swing arm assemblies are operative to extend the roll tube beyonda distance from respective first and second pivot points to either sideof the container during deployment and retraction of the flexible cover.

[0011] According to one form of the invention, the deployment apparatusincludes at least one stop disposed on the first swing arm between thefirst pivot point and the first free end. This stop, which can be acollar and set screw arrangement, is operable to limit the translationof the drive assembly along the first swing arm. One stop can beprovided adjacent the free end of the first swing arm to prevent removalof the drive assembly beyond the end of the first swing arm. Anotherstop can be provided between the drive assembly and the first pivotpoint to limit the downward translation of the drive assembly along thefirst swing arm. The position of this lower stop can be calibrated toallow the deployment apparatus to negotiate a tarp over a heaped loadwithin the container.

[0012] According to another form of the invention, the first swing armis retained by the first spring mechanism so as to be translatabletherein. Moreover, the second swing arm is retained by the second springmechanism so as to be translatable therein.

[0013] In certain embodiments, the spring mechanisms connect the swingarms to the container at the respective pivot points. Each springmechanism is preferably operable to bias its swing arm to a position inwhich the tarp extends across the open top of the container. In otherembodiments, the drive assembly can include a support plate, a drivemotor mounted on the mounting plate and a transmission mechanismconnecting the drive motor to the roll tube. The support plate can beprovided with a bearing assembly for slidably supporting the supportplate on the swing arm.

[0014] Another aspect of the invention contemplates a method fordeploying a flexible cover sized to cover an open-topped container, theflexible cover connected at one end to one side of the container andhaving an opposite free end connected to a roll tube that is deployableacross the container to the other side thereof. In this aspect, themethod comprises the steps of providing a swing arm assembly pivotallymounted to the container at a pivot point at one end of the container topivot between the sides of the container, the swing arm assembly havinga spring mechanism defining the pivot point, the swing arm retained bythe spring mechanism and having a free end extending from the springmechanism toward the open top of the container, and providing a driveassembly supported on the swing arm. The method further includes thesteps of supporting the roll tube on the drive assembly and winding theflexible cover onto the roll tube so that the tension in the flexiblecover as it is wound onto the roll tube pulls the swing arm toward oneside of the container against action of the spring mechanism and so thatthe tension in the flexible cover causes the roll tube to translaterelative to the pivot point along the longitudinal axis of the swingarm.

[0015] The method can further comprise the step of limiting the downwardmovement of the roll tube relative to the free end portion as the swingarm pivots across the midpoint of the container so that the flexiblecover remains elevated above the container at the midpoint. Inembodiments where the flexible cover is connected to the container belowthe one side, the step of winding can continue until the wound cover isimmediately adjacent the connected end of the cover.

[0016] One benefit of the deployment apparatus of the present inventionis that it can be readily implemented on side-dumping containers. Afurther benefit is that the mechanism easily accommodated heaped loadsin an open-topped container. Other benefits and advantages of theinvention will be appreciated from the following written description andaccompanying figures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0017]FIG. 1 is an end view of a side-dumping vehicle of the prior art.

[0018]FIG. 2 is an end view of a side-dumping vehicle modified from theprior art to include a cover deployment apparatus in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

[0019]FIG. 3 is a side view of the components of the cover deploymentapparatus shown in FIG. 2.

[0020]FIG. 4 is a rear view of certain components of the deploymentapparatus shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

[0021]FIGS. 5a-5 c are end views of the modified side-dumping vehiclefrom FIG. 2, with the cover deployment apparatus shown in differentstages of its operation.

[0022]FIG. 6 is a forward-facing perspective view of the side of thedump body with the cover shown in its rolled and stowed position.

[0023]FIG. 7 is a side view of the components for mounting the fixed endof the flexible cover to the dump body.

[0024]FIG. 8 is an end view of the components for mounting the fixed endof the flexible cover to the dump body.

[0025]FIG. 9 is a side view of components of an alternative embodimentof the cover deployment apparatus of the present invention.

[0026]FIG. 10 is a rear view of certain components of the deploymentapparatus shown in FIG. 9.

[0027]FIG. 11 is a side view of components of yet another embodiment ofthe cover deployment apparatus of the present invention.

[0028]FIG. 12 is an end view of a side-dumping vehicle modified from theprior art to include a cover deployment apparatus in accordance withanother embodiment of the present invention.

[0029]FIG. 13 is a perspective view of one side of the springmechanism/swing arm retention component of the cover deploymentapparatus shown in FIG. 12.

[0030]FIG. 14 is a perspective view of another side of the springmechanism/swing arm retention component of the cover deploymentapparatus shown in FIG. 12.

[0031]FIG. 15 is the perspective view of FIG. 14 having a swing armsituated therein particularly illustrating the manner of movementbetween the swing arm and the housing.

[0032]FIGS. 16a-16 c are end views of the modified side-dumping vehiclefrom FIG. 12, with the cover deployment apparatus shown in differentstages of its operation.

[0033]FIG. 17 is a side view of a modified side-dumping vehicle havinganother alternative embodiment of a cover deployment apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERED EMBODIMENTS

[0034] For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principlesof the invention, reference will now be made to the embodimentsillustrated in the drawings and described in the following writtenspecification. It is understood that no limitation to the scope of theinvention is thereby intended. It is further understood that the presentinvention includes any alterations and modifications to the illustratedembodiments and includes further applications of the principles of theinvention as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to whichthis invention pertains.

[0035] The present invention contemplates utilizing a flexibledeployment cover mechanism on a side-dump trailer. Thus, in accordancewith one embodiment of the invention, a modified side-dump trailer 25 isprovided with a modified dump body 27. In particular, the dump body 27is modified from the body 13 shown in FIG. 1 by the addition of aflexible cover or tarpaulin (tarp) 30 and a deployment apparatus 35. Thetarp has a fixed end 31 that is fixed or connected to a side wall 28 ofthe dump body 27. Preferably, the fixed end 31 of the tarp is wrappedaround the side edge or side rail of the dump body 27 in a mannerdescribed in more detail herein.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 2, the tarp extends from one side of the vehicleto the other across the dump body end cap 33. Preferably, the tarp isdeployed in tension so it remains firmly stretched across the end cap33. As depicted in FIG. 2, the tarp 30 is fully deployed across the opentop of the dump body 27 so that the deployment apparatus 35 is situatedto the opposite side of the vehicle from the fixed end 31 of the tarp30.

[0037] The free end of the tarp is connected to a roll tube 37, shown inFIGS. 2 and 3, which can be of well known configuration. The roll tube37 spans the length of the dump body 27 and is sized and configured sothat the tarp 30 can be wound onto the roll tube as the deploymentapparatus 35 is moved to the other side of the dump body 27. Inparticular, the roll tube 37 is connected to a free edge 38 of the tarp,as shown in FIG. 3.

[0038] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the details of this side-to-sidedeployment apparatus 35 can be more readily appreciated. The apparatus35 can include support assembly for rotatably supporting the roll tubewhile the roll tube, and consequently the flexible cover, travels acrossthe open top of the container. In one embodiment, this support assemblyis a drive assembly 39 that is connected to the tarp roll tube 37. Thedrive assembly 39 includes a drive motor 40 that is connected to theroll tube by way of a transmission 41. In the illustrated embodiment, amating axle 42 extends from the transmission 41 and is engaged to theroll tube 37. The drive motor 40 and transmission 41 can be selectedfrom a variety of known components that are used to rotate the roll tubeof a flexible tarping system. Preferably, the drive motor 40 is anelectric motor with appropriate electrical cabling extending along theside deployment apparatus 35 to connect with the electrical system ofthe vehicle. If the drive motor is hydraulic, appropriate pressure linescan be strung along the mechanism 35 to connect to the vehiclehydraulics. It is understood that the motor 40 can be activated in aconventional manner, such as by a switch in the cab of the vehicle, or aswitch at the end of the dump body 27 directly adjacent the driveassembly 39 itself.

[0039] The motor is preferably a reversible motor to provide for poweredretraction or winding of the tarp onto the roll tube and controlledunwinding of the tarp from the roll tube. Alternatively, the motor canbe powered in one direction only, and more specifically to rotate theroll tube in the direction to wind the flexible cover onto the rolltube. With this alternative, the motor can free-wheel in the oppositerotational direction, such as by incorporating a clutch in thetransmission 41.

[0040] The drive assembly 39 is supported by a support plate 43.Preferably, each of the components, namely the drive motor 40 and thetransmission 41, are mounted to the support plate 43 in a conventionalmanner. The mating axle 42 can extend through an appropriate openingformed in the support plate 43 so that it can be integrated to the rolltube 37.

[0041] The side roll deployment apparatus 35 includes a swing armassembly 45 in addition to the drive assembly 39. While the driveassembly 39 rotates the roll tube 37, the swing arm assembly 45 operatesto swing or pivot the entire drive assembly from one side of the dumpbody to the other. Thus, the swing arm assembly 45 can include a swingarm 50 that extends from a pivot mount, which is preferably a springmechanism 47 mounted to the dump body 27 at a spring mount 49.Preferably, the spring mount 49 is a bracket that extends across thewidth of the dump body, as shown in FIG. 2. The swing arm 50 has a fixedor pivot end 51 that that is fixed or connected to the spring mechanism47 and an opposite free end 52 that extends above or beyond the top ofthe dump body 27 as shown in FIG. 2.

[0042] As shown best in FIG. 4, the free end 52 extends through abearing block 53 that is mounted to the support plate 43. The bearingblock 53 defines a bearing channel 54 through which the swing arm 50extends. Preferably, the bearing channel is configured to permit smoothsliding movement of the support plate 43 relative to the swing arm 50.In certain embodiments, the bearing channel 54 can include a bushingdisposed around the swing arm 50. The bushing or the interior of thebearing channel 54 can be formed of Delrin®, Teflon® or otherlow-friction material.

[0043] The support plate 43 is essentially carried by the swing arm 50and the roll tube 37. As shown in FIG. 3, the swing arm 50 and thebearing block 53 can be disposed on the inboard side of the supportplate 43, as opposed to the outboard side on which the drive assembly 39is mounted. This orientation can be preferred to eliminate any twistingof the support plate that might occur if the swing arm was carried onthe opposite side of the plate from the roll tube. It is understood, ofcourse, that other orientations of the components carried by the supportplate 43 are contemplated. Likewise, other configurations of the supportplate itself, beyond that shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, are also contemplated.Nevertheless, the important aspect of the support plate 43 is that itcarries the drive assembly 39 that rotates the tarp roll tube 37, aswell as a bearing element to permit sliding movement of the supportplate relative to the swing arm 50.

[0044] In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the swing armassembly 45 is connected to the dump body 27 at a pivot point 48. Theswing arm 50 has a length measured from that pivot point 48 to its freeend 52 that is greater than the distance from the pivot point 48 to theside edges or side rails of the dump body 27. Thus, the free end 52 ofthe swing arm in this embodiment can extend past the side edges of thedump body, as shown in FIG. 2. In accordance with one aspect of thepreferred embodiment, an upper collar 55 is fastened at the free end 52of the swing arm by way of a set screw 56. The upper collar preventsremoval of the support plate 43 from the end of the swing arm 50.Alternatively, the free end 52 of the swing arm 50 can be enlarged toprovide a natural stop against relative translation between the swingarm and the support plate 43. The upper collar 55 is preferred becauseits position relative to the free end 52 can be adjusted, to therebyadjust the upward extent of the relative movement between the supportplate 43 and the swing arm 50.

[0045] In addition to the upper collar, a lower collar 58 is alsoprovided in accordance with a further feature of the invention. Thelower collar 58 can be connected to the swing arm 50 by way of a setscrew 59. The lower collar 58 acts as a stop to restrict relativetranslation of the support plate 43 down the swing arm 50. As best shownin FIG. 2, the lower collar 58 is positioned at a distance along theswing arm 50 that is less than the distance from the pivot point 48 tothe side edge of the dump body 27. The function of the lower collar 58will be described in more detail below.

[0046] Turning now to the spring mechanism 47, as shown in FIG. 3, themechanism includes a spring housing 62 that defines a hub 63. The hub isconfigured to receive the fixed end 51 of the swing arm 50. Mountingbolts 64 can be provided to firmly connect the swing arm to the springhousing 62. A pivot pin 66 connects the spring housing 62 to the springmount 49, and ultimately establishes the pivot point 48 for the swingarm assembly 45. A spring pack 68 can be contained within the springhousing 62. The spring pack includes a number of torsion springs thatprovide a torque reaction between the pivot pin 66 and a reaction pin 69extended through the spring housing 62.

[0047] A wide variety of spring mechanisms 47 can be utilized, with theunderstanding that the spring mechanism applies a biasing force to theswing arm 50. In accordance with the preferred embodiment, the torsionsprings in the spring pack 68 can tend to bias the spring arm 50 to theposition shown in FIG. 2 with the flexible tarp 30 fully deployed overthe open top of the dump body 27. With this configuration, the driveassembly 39, then works against the torque generated by the springmechanism 47. Specifically, as the drive assembly 39 causes the rolltube 37 to rotate, the tarp 30 is wound onto the roll tube. This windingoperation causes tension in the tarp as the width of the tarp isshortened. This tension overcomes the spring force generated by thespring mechanism 47 to draw the entire mechanism toward the fixed end 31of the tarp. The operation of powered roll tarps and spring assembliesis well known in the art. It is understood that if the motor 40 isreversible, the drive assembly constantly opposes the biasing forcegenerated by the spring mechanism 47. It is further understood that ifthe motor 40 includes a free-wheeling mode of operation the motor willonly oppose the spring biasing force in one direction, mostappropriately in the retraction direction.

[0048] Referring to FIGS. 5a-5 c, the operation of the side rolldeployment apparatus 35 is depicted. As a precursor, it can be pointedout that a lock plate 75 can be provided at one side of the dump body.The lock plate 75 defines a notch 76 which receives the tarp roll tube37 or the mating axle 42 when the deployment apparatus 35 is in itsfully deployed position as shown in FIG. 2. In other words, the lockplate 75 operates as a seat for holding the tarp 30 in its deployedposition. In the illustration to FIG. 5a, the drive assembly 39 has justbeen activated so that the roll tube has rotated and the tarp woundslightly onto the roll tube. With this movement, the entire assembly,including the support plate 43, drive assembly 39 and roll tube 37,pivots or rotates in the direction of the arrow P and the roll tubedislodges from the lock plate 75. With this movement, tension applied atthe tarp free edge 38 tends to pull against the roll tube 37, andultimately against the drive assembly 39. This pulling movement causesthe support plate 43, onto which the drive assembly 39 is mounted, totranslate in the direction of the arrow T along the length of the swingarm 50.

[0049] As the drive assembly 39 continues to rotate, the roll tube 37also continues to rotate, drawing the deployment apparatus 35 to itscentral position as shown in FIG. 5b. In this position, both gravity andtension in the tarp 30 forces the support 43 down against the lower stopor collar 58. With this orientation, the tarp is in its partially woundposition 30′. It is in this position that one beneficial feature of thepresent invention can be appreciated. Specifically, it can be seen thatthe partially wound tarp 30′ is elevated above the end caps 33 and abovethe open top of the dump body 27. In this instance, if the dump body iscarrying a heaped load, the tarp will not drag across the load anddislodge or disturb the load itself. Likewise, when the deploymentapparatus 35 is moved from its wound to its extended or deployedposition, the tarp 30 will not drag across the heaped portion of theload within the dump body.

[0050] As the drive assembly 39 continues to operate, the tarp is fullywound onto the roll tube into is wound configuration 30″ as shown inFIG. 5c. Preferably, the wound tarp 30″ is directly adjacent to thefixed end 31 of the tarp. Also preferably, and as shown clearly in FIG.5c, the wound tarp 30″ is situated below the side rail 80 of themodified dump body 27. This position of the wound 30″ is anotherbeneficial feature of the present invention. In particular, the tarp androll tube are completely concealed from the side rail 80 of the dumpbody 27 so that when the body is pivoted toward that side (as shown inFIG. 1), the deployment apparatus 35 and tarp 30 will not interfere withthe removal of the contents of the body. Likewise, with the tarp in itswound position, 30″ shown in FIG. 5c, the dump body can be pivoted tothe other side of the vehicle without fear of the deployment apparatus35 falling forward due to gravity.

[0051] This “concealed” position of the wound tarp 30″ is shown indetail in FIG. 6. From this figure it can be seen that the dump body 27includes a side rail 80 that extends along the length of the body and agenerally contiguous side wall 82. The wall can define a recess 84beneath the side rail 80. The recess is sized to receive the entireflexible cover in its rolled or wound configuration 30″. In this way,the roll tarp is clear of the dump body so that it does not interferewith the dumping of the material from the body.

[0052] The fixed end 31 of the flexible tarp 30 is connected to the dumpbody within the recess 84. Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, it can be seenthat the fixed end 31 of the tarp 30 includes a bar 94 extending alongits length. The bar helps provide rigidity to the tarp to preventbunching during use. The bar is connected to the side wall 82 in therecess 84 by way of a number of clamp assemblies 90. Each clamp assemblyincludes a clamping bracket 91 that is connected to the dump body by wayof a mounting plate 92. The clamping bracket 91 forms a slot 93 betweenitself and the mounting plate 92. The bracket is sized to tightlyreceive the tarp bar 94 while the fixed end 31 of the tarp extendstrough the slot 93, as shown best is FIG. 8. The clamp assemblies 90provide an easy way for attachment of the fixed end 31 of flexible tarp30 to the dump body 27. A number of these clamp assemblies can be spacedalong the entire length of the tarp. In accordance with the presentinvention, different means for clamping the fixed end 31 of the tarp 30to the truck body 27 can be implemented.

[0053] The present invention provides a tarp deployment apparatus thatcan be readily adapted for use with a variety of types of open-toppedand vehicle-borne containers. While the mechanism is described in thecontext of a side-dumping container, the mechanism can be modified todeploy a tarp along the length, rather than across the width, of acontainer. Appropriate changes in the length of the swing arm would benecessary to accommodate the length of the tarp needed to span thelength of the container.

[0054] In addition, the concepts of the present invention can beimplemented in a variety of ways to deploy or retract a flexible coveror tarp over a heaped load. The stop collar 58 mounted on the swing arm50 suspends the support plate 43 and consequently the roll tube 37 andthe free end 31 of the tarp, over the load within the open-toppedcontainer. The stop collar does not inhibit movement of the supportplate toward the free end of the swing arm, so that the free end 31 ofthe tarp can reach the side edges of the container. This function of theswing arm and stop collar can be maintained regardless of the motiveforce behind movement of the tarp. In other words, the tarp can beself-winding at its fixed or free ends, can be manually deployed by apull rope, or mechanically pivoted from side-to-side at the pivot point47. The tarp tension interacts with support plate 43 and the stop collar58 to allow the free end of the tarp to pass cleanly over a heaped load.The height that the free end 38 of the tarp passes over the open top ofthe container can be controlled by the position of the stop collar alongthe length of the swing arm.

[0055] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2-6 the swing arm is sized toextend from the pivot point to the side rails of the dump body. Inalternative embodiments, the swing arm is shorter and does not extendbeyond the side rails. For instance, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, thedeployment apparatus 135 includes a swing arm 150 that does not extendbeyond the roll tube 37 at the tarp free edge 38. Instead, the supportplate 143 has a portion 145 configured to bridge the distance betweenthe end of the swing arm 150 and the mating axle 42 that is engaged tothe roll tube 37. As with the previous embodiment, the support platecarries a drive assembly 139 that is operable to rotate the mating axle,and ultimately the tarp roll tube. The drive assembly 139 can be thesame drive assembly 39 utilized in the prior embodiment.

[0056] The swing arm 150 is connected to the support plate 143 by way ofa bearing block 153. The bearing block is mounted on a portion 144 ofthe support plate that is offset from the mating axle 42 as shown inFIG. 10. The axial movement of the swing arm relative to the bearingblock is restricted by an upper collar 155 and a lower collar 158. Thebearing block and collars can be constructed as the like components inthe prior embodiment.

[0057] The deployment apparatus 135 and swing arm 150 operate in thesame manner as the swing arm 50 described above. The axial movement ofthe support plate 143 and drive assembly 139 along the swing arm 150 isalso retained, as is the function of the lower collar 158 to elevate therolled tarp above the load within the dump body. Thus, it can beappreciated that the mechanism 135 shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 operates inthe same manner as the deployment apparatus 35 described above. Onebenefit offered by the present embodiment is that the swing arm 150 doesnot project beyond the side of the dump body when the arm is at itsmaximum side-to-side extent. Instead, the farthest reach of themechanism is dictated by the support plate 143, which need only reach asfar as the mating axle 42. With this embodiment, the components of thedeployment apparatus will never extend beyond the tarp itself.

[0058] A similar benefit can be obtained by the deployment apparatus 235shown in FIG. 11. In this case, axial movement of the swing arm occursat the pivot end of the arm. The swing arm 250 is slidably mounted tothe spring housing 262 that is mounted to the dump body 27 at the springmount 49. The spring housing 262 can be substantially similar to thespring housing 62 described above, particularly with respect to itsfunction of carrying the torsion spring pack 68 and providing a meansfor translating the spring torque to pivoting movement of the deploymentapparatus 235. However, unlike the spring housing 62 of the previousembodiment, the spring housing 262 shown in FIG. 11 does not include thehub 63 for supporting the swing arm.

[0059] Instead, the swing arm 250 is supported on the spring housing 262by a bearing block 253. The translation of the swing arm relative to thebearing block, and ultimately the spring housing, is limited by upperand lower collars 255, 258. Again, the bearing block 253 and the collars255, 258 can have the same construction and function as theircounterparts in the prior embodiments.

[0060] In contrast to the prior embodiments, the swing arm 250 can befixed to the support plate carrying the drive assembly. In other words,with this embodiment, the support plate does not translate along thelength of the swing arm. Instead, the relative axial positioning of thesupport plate, and ultimately the roll tube 37, is accommodated bytranslation of the swing arm 250 relative to the spring housing 262. Theeffect of this movement is the same as with the priorembodiments—namely, that the rolled tarp not only swings across the opentop of the container, it also moves to varying vertical positions abovethe container.

[0061] Since this relative movement is accomplished at the pivot end ofthe swing arm, the arm can be fastened to the support plate in anappropriate manner. For instance, the swing arm can be welded to thesupport plate, which can be the support plate 143 shown in FIGS. 9 and10. Alternatively, the free end of the swing arm 250 can be held withina bearing block, such as the bearing block 153 of the deploymentapparatus 135. In this instance, the upper and lower collars 155, 158can be positioned immediately adjacent the bearing block 153 toessentially hold the swing arm fixed relative to that bearing block andsupport plate. As a further alternative, a number of set screws, likethe set screws 56, can be threaded through threaded bores in the bearingblock 153 to bear directly against the swing arm.

[0062] Referring now to FIG. 12, there is depicted an alternativeembodiment of a lateral deployment apparatus generally designated 35′.It should be appreciated that the general function of the lateraldeployment apparatus 35′ is the same as the function of the lateraldeployment apparatus 35 described above with the various exceptionsdescribed below. The side-to-side deployment apparatus 35′ includes aswing arm assembly 100 in addition to the drive assembly 39, the driveassembly 39 preferably, but not necessarily, being the same as thatdescribed above. Again, while the drive assembly 39 rotates the rolltube 37, the swing arm assembly 100 operates to swing or pivot theentire drive assembly from one side of the dump body to the other sideof the dump body. Thus, the swing arm assembly 100 can include a swingarm 104 that extends from a pivot mount, which is here embodied as acombined spring mechanism/swing arm bearing housing 102, mounted to thedump body 27 at the spring mount 49.

[0063] The drive assembly 39 is fixed to the swing arm 104 proximate afree end 105 thereof. The opposite pivot end of the swing arm 104 isslidably retained in and/or by the spring mechanism/swing arm bearinghousing 102. In this manner, the drive assembly 39 moves up and down asthe swing arm 104 moves up and down within the spring mechanism/swingarm bearing housing 102. Thus, rather than the drive assembly 39 movingup and down with respect to the fixed swing arm 104 as with the firstembodiment described herein, the drive assembly 39 and swing arm 104move up and down with respect to the spring mechanism/swing arm bearinghousing 102.

[0064] Turning to FIG. 13, the spring mechanism/swing arm bearinghousing 102 is shown without a spring pack therein. The swing armbearing housing 102 is characterized by two parallel plates 106 and 108spaced a distance apart, the distance corresponding to at least thewidth of the swing arm 104. The swing arm can be rectangular as shown asFIG. 15. However, most preferably, the swing arm has a circular crosssection. The plates 106 and 108 retain a top roller 110, a middle roller112, and a bottom roller 114. The rollers 110, 112, and 114 are spacedto accommodate and laterally retain the swing arm 104 while moving upand down during deployment and retraction of the cover 30. The plate 106also includes a pivot pin opening for a pivot pin (not shown) associatedwith a spring pack (see e.g. FIG. 3).

[0065] In FIG. 14, the spring mechanism/swing arm bearing housing 102 isshown with a spring mounting plate 121 disposed on the outside of theplate 108 and a spring pack 120 disposed between the plates 106 and 108(i.e. within the housing 102). A pivot pin (not seen in FIG. 14 butanalogous to the pivot pin 66 in FIG. 3) connects the housing 102 to thespring mounting plate 121, and ultimately establishes the pivot point 48(see FIG. 2) for the swing arm assembly 100. The spring mounting plate121 is attached to the spring mount 49 of the dump body 27. The springmounting plate 121 allows for variable angular positioning of the springmechanism relative to the container to vary the initial torsion forceexerted by the mechanism.

[0066] The spring pack 120 includes a number of torsion springs thatprovide a torque reaction between the pivot pin and the reaction pin116. A wide variety of spring mechanisms 102 can be utilized, with theunderstanding that the spring mechanism applies a biasing force to theswing arm 104. In accordance with the preferred embodiment, the torsionsprings in the spring pack 120 can tend to bias the spring arm 104 tothe position shown in FIG. 12 with the flexible tarp 30 fully deployedover the open top of the dump body 27. With this configuration, thedrive assembly 39 then works against the torque generated by the springmechanism 120. Specifically, as the drive assembly 39 causes the rolltube 37 to rotate, the tarp 30 is wound onto the roll tube. This windingoperation causes tension in the tarp as the width of the tarp isshortened. This tension overcomes the spring force generated by thespring mechanism 120 to draw the entire mechanism toward the fixed end31 of the tarp. The operation of powered roll tarps and springassemblies is well known in the art.

[0067] The housing 102 defines a channel 122 between the plates 106 and108 and to the inside of rollers 110, 112, 114. The channel 122 is sizedto receive the swing arm 104 such that the swing arm 104 is translatabletherein. Particularly, and as further illustrated in FIG. 15, the swingarm 104 is retained within the channel 122 and between (in contact with)the rollers 110, 112, 114.

[0068] Turning now to FIG. 15, the action of the swing arm 104 withrespect to the spring mechanism/swing arm bearing housing 102 isillustrated. The swing arm 104 is free to translate within the channel122 as the spring housing 102 pivots either under the action of thespring pack 120 or the drive assembly 39, since the housing is pivotallyfixed in position. Such translation of the swing arm 104 is indicated bythe two-headed arrow labeled T′. As the swing arm 104 translates withinthe channel 122, the rollers 110, 112, 114 rotate to allow smoothmovement of the swing arm 104.

[0069] Referring to FIGS. 16a-16 c, the operation of the side rolldeployment apparatus 35′ is depicted. The dump body 27 is shown with aload L contained therein. In the illustration to FIG. 16A, the driveassembly 39 has just been activated so that the roll tube has rotatedand the tarp wound slightly onto the roll tube. With this movement, theentire assembly, including the support plate 43, drive assembly 39 androll tube pivots or rotates in the direction of the arrow P and the rolltube dislodges from the lock plate 75. With this movement, tensionapplied at the free edge 38 tends to pull against the roll tube andultimately against the drive assembly 39. This pulling movement causesthe swing arm 104 to translate as illustrated by the double-headed arrowT′ within the housing 102.

[0070] It should be appreciated that deployment of the tarp 30 over theload L causes the translation of the swing arm 104 and the driveassembly 39 as the tarp 30 covers the load L. The drive assembly 39being fixed to the swing arm 104 moves up and down (translates) as thetarp moves over the uneven terrain of the load which, in turn,translates the swing arm. This relative translation is limited by anupper stop 124 and a lower stop 126 engaged to the swing arm 104 in amanner similar to the stops described above. The upper stop 124 limitsthe downward translation of the swing arm as the stop contacts thehousing 102. Likewise, the lower stop 126 limits the upward translationof the swing arm as this stop contacts the underside of the housing.

[0071] As the drive assembly 39 continues to rotate, the roll tube alsocontinues to rotate, drawing the deployment apparatus 35′ to its centralposition as shown in FIG. 16b. In this position, both gravity andtension in he tarp 30 causes the swing arm 104 to translate downwardwithin the housing 102 until the upper stop 124 contacts the housing.With this orientation, the tarp is in a partially wound position and issupported above both the container and its load L by the stop 124.

[0072] As the drive assembly 39 continues to operate, the tarp is fullywound onto the roll tube into a fully wound configuration as shown inFIG. 16c. Preferably, the wound portion of the tarp is directly adjacentto the fixed end 31 of the tarp. The lower stop 126 limits the outwardtranslation of the swing arm 104 when it contacts the underside of thehousing 102. Nominally, the translation of the swing arm is limited sothat the lower stop 126 never comes into play. However, this stop isimportant to prevent accidental disassembly of the swing arm from thedeployment apparatus should it translate far enough to fall out of thehousing 102.

[0073] Preferably, and as shown clearly in FIG. 16c, the wound tarp issituated below the side rail 80 of the modified dump body 27. Thisposition of the wound tarp is another beneficial feature of the presentinvention. In particular, the tarp and roll tube are completelyconcealed from the side rail 80 of the dump body 27 so that when thebody is pivoted toward that side (as shown in FIG. 1), the deploymentapparatus 35′ and tarp 30 will not interfere with the removal of thecontents of the body. Likewise, with the tarp in its wound position asshown in FIG. 16c, the dump body can be pivoted to the other side of thevehicle without fear of the deployment apparatus 35′ falling forward dueto gravity.

[0074] Referring now to FIG. 17, there is depicted yet anotherembodiment of a deployment apparatus generally designated 35″. Thedeployment apparatus 35″ is shown situated on a truck 130, the truck 130characterized by a cab 132 coupled to a dump body 134. The deploymentapparatus 35″ is characterized by a first swing arm assembly 136disposed on a first (one) end 135 of the dump body 134 and a secondswing arm assembly 138 disposed on a second (another) end 137 of thedump body 134. The first and second swing arm assemblies 136 and 138carry a roll tube 140 that has a tarp 142 rolled or wrapped therearound.The deployment apparatus 35″ shown in FIG. 17 is depicted in anon-deployed state. It should also be appreciated that the deploymentapparatus 35″ functions and/or operates in the same or similar manner tothe deployment apparatuses described above.

[0075] The first swing arm assembly 136 has a spring/swing arm retentionmechanism 144 that is attached to the first end 135 of the dump body134. The spring/swing arm retention mechanism 144 may be thespring/swing arm retention mechanism 47 described above, may be thespring/swing arm retention mechanism 102 described above, or may beanother type of spring/swing arm retention mechanism in accordance withthe principles described herein. A swing arm 146 extends from thespring/swing arm retention mechanism 144. The swing arm 146 isconsistent in form, function and/or operation with the swing armappropriate for the spring/swing arm retention mechanism utilized.

[0076] A drive assembly 148 is operatively attached to and/or proximatethe free end of the swing arm 146. The drive assembly 148 is alsoconsistent in form, function and/or operation with the drive assemblies39 or 39″ appropriate for the spring/swing arm retention mechanismutilized. The roll tube 140 is operatively coupled to the drive assembly148 in a same or similar manner to that described above.

[0077] The second swing arm assembly 138 is characterized by aspring/swing arm retention mechanism 150 that is attached to the secondend 137 of the dump body 134. The spring/swing arm retention mechanismmay be the spring/swing arm retention mechanism 47 described above, maybe the spring/swing arm retention mechanism 102 described above, or maybe another type of spring/swing arm retention mechanism in accordancewith the principles described herein. A swing arm 152 extends from thespring/swing arm retention mechanism 150. The swing arm 152 isconsistent in form, function and/or operation with the swing armappropriate for the spring/swing arm retention mechanism utilized.

[0078] A roll mount 154 is coupled to the free end of the swing arm 152and attaches to the tarp roll 140. The roll mount 154 preferablynon-driven (passive) and is operative to allow the tarp roll 140 torotate according to the drive assembly 148. The roll mount 154, however,may be driven either in synchronization or not with the drive assembly148.

[0079] While the invention has been illustrated and described in detailin the drawings and foregoing description, the same should be consideredas illustrative and not restrictive in character. It is understood thatonly the preferred embodiments have been presented and that all changes,modifications and further applications that come within the spirit ofthe invention are desired to be protected.

[0080] For instance, it is understood that the support plate and bearingblock configurations can be modified from the specific depictedembodiments, provided they retain their ascribed functions. Thus, thebearing blocks can be integrated directly into the support plate, suchas by bending a portion of the plate to form a cylindrical portion, orproviding a cast support plate with the bearing block.

[0081] Likewise, the stops or collars that are used to limit therelative axial or longitudinal movement between the bearing block andthe swing arm can adopt a variety of configurations. For instance, theupper collars 55 and 155, and the lower collar 258 can constitute anenlarged end to the swing arm. The collars themselves can be replaced bya cotter pin or transverse dowel arrangement, again provided that themodified components are capable of supporting the deployment apparatusat its limits of movement.

[0082] In addition to the above, while the various embodimentscontemplate a self-contained drive assembly carried by the supportplate, alternative drive arrangements can be utilized provided they matewith and rotate the roll tube of the tarp, and provided they accommodatethe translation of the support for the roll tube relative to the swingarms. For instance, the drive motor and/or transmission can be disposedat the pivot end of the swing arm, with a drive chain following theswing arm to a sprocket connected to the roll tube or mating axle. Ofcourse, some accommodation would be necessary to allow the drive chainto account for the variable positions of the roll tube support assembly.In addition, the drive assembly can constitute an internal drivemechanism disposed within the roll tube itself. The roll tube wouldstill be rotatably supported on the slidable support assembly; however,the motor would be mounted on the roll tube rather than on the supportassembly.

What is claimed is:
 1. A deployment apparatus for a flexible cover sizedto cover an open-topped container, the flexible cover connected at oneend to the container and having an opposite end connected to a rolltube, said deployment apparatus comprising: a swing arm pivotablymounted at a pivot point to the container, said swing arm having alength from said pivot point to a free end thereof sized so that saidfree end extends adjacent the open top of the container when said swingarm is pivoted relative to the container; and a support assemblyrotatably supporting the roll tube, said support assembly slidablysupported on said swing arm so that said support assembly translatesalong the length of said swing arm.
 2. The deployment apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein said swing arm includes a stop disposedthereon between said pivot point and said free end, said stop operableto limit the translation of said support assembly along said swing arm.3. The deployment apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said stop isdisposed on said swing arm between said support assembly and said freeend so that said support assembly is slidably supported on said swingarm between said pivot point and said stop.
 4. The deployment apparatusaccording to claim 2, wherein said stop includes a collar slidablymounted over said swing arm and means for fastening said collar to saidswing arm.
 5. The deployment apparatus according to claim 2, in whichthe flexible cover is connected to one side of the container and isdeployable across the container to the other side thereof, wherein: saidlength of said swing arm is greater than the distance from the pivotpoint to either side of the container; and said stop is disposed on saidswing arm at a distance from said pivot point that is less than thedistance from the pivot point to either side of the container.
 6. Thedeployment apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said stop is a firststop disposed on said swing arm between said support assembly and saidpivot point.
 7. The deployment apparatus according to claim 6, whereinsaid first stop is disposed on said swing arm above the open top of thecontainer when said swing arm is pivoted relative to the container. 8.The deployment apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said swing armincludes a second stop disposed thereon between said support assemblyand said free end so that said support assembly is slidably supported onsaid swing arm between said first stop and said second stop.
 9. Thedeployment apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said first stop isdisposed on said swing arm so that when said support assembly contactssaid first stop said support assembly supports the roll tube away fromcontact with the container.
 10. The deployment apparatus according toclaim 9, wherein said length of said swing arm is sized so that saidfree end extends above the open top of the container.
 11. The deploymentapparatus according to claim 9, wherein: said length of said swing armis sized so that said free end does not extend above the open top of thecontainer; and said support assembly includes a portion configured toextend away from said free end of said swing arm to support the rolltube away from contact with the container.
 12. The deployment apparatusaccording to claim 1, in which the flexible cover is connected to oneside of the container and is deployable across the container to theopposite side thereof, wherein: said swing arm is pivotable from aretracted position adjacent the one side of the container in which theflexible cover is retracted, and a deployed position adjacent theopposite side of the container in which the flexible cover is deployedacross the open top of the container; the apparatus further comprises aspring mechanism connecting said swing arm to the container, said springmechanism operable to bias said swing arm toward the deployed position;and said support assembly includes a drive assembly operable to wind theflexible cover onto the roll tube in opposition to the bias of saidspring mechanism to thereby maintain the flexible cover in tension as itis wound or unwound.
 13. The deployment apparatus according to claim 12,wherein said spring mechanism includes: a housing connected to saidswing arm at said pivot point thereof; a pivot shaft connected to thecontainer and extending through said housing; and a number of torsionsprings disposed within said housing and engaged between said housingand said pivot shaft to apply a biasing torque therebetween.
 14. Thedeployment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said support assemblyincludes a drive assembly supporting the roll tube and operable torotate the roll tube so that the flexible cover winds onto or unwindsfrom the roll tube, said drive assembly including; a support plate; adrive motor mounted on said support plate; a transmission mechanismconnecting said drive motor to the roll tube; and a bearing assembly forslidably supporting said support plate on said swing arm.
 15. Thedeployment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said support assemblyincludes a drive assembly supporting the roll tube and operable torotate the roll tube, said drive assembly including a reversible motoroperable to wind and unwind the flexible cover around the roll tube. 16.The deployment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said length ofsaid swing arm is sized so that said free end extends above the open topof the container.
 17. The deployment apparatus according to claim 1, inwhich the container has opposite sides, with the flexible coverconnected to one side of the container and sized to span across the opentop to the opposite side of the container, wherein said pivot point isdisposed relative to the container so that said length of said swing armis less than the distance from said pivot point to either of theopposite sides of the container.
 18. The deployment apparatus accordingto claim 17, wherein said length of said swing arm is greater than thedistance from said pivot point to the top of the container at a portionof the container between the opposite sides.
 19. The deploymentapparatus according to claim 17, wherein said swing arm includes a stopdisposed thereon between the support assembly and said free end of saidswing arm.
 20. The deployment apparatus according to claim 19, wherein:said swing arm is pivotable from a retracted position in which said freeend is adjacent one side of the container and a deployed position inwhich said free end is adjacent the opposite side of the container; andsaid support assembly is configured to support the roll tube in contactwith either side of the container when said swing arm is in saidretracted or deployed positions.
 21. A method for deploying a flexiblecover sized to cover an open-topped container, the flexible coverconnected at one end to one side of the container and having an oppositefree end connected to a roll tube that is deployable across thecontainer to the other side thereof, the method comprising the steps of:providing a swing arm pivotably mounted to the container to pivotbetween the sides of the container, the swing arm having a free endportion extending adjacent the open top of the container; slidablysupporting the roll tube on the free end portion; winding the flexiblecover onto the roll tube so that tension in the flexible cover as it iswound onto the roll tube pulls the swing arm toward the one side of thecontainer and so that the tension in the cover causes the roll tube totranslate relative to the free end portion of the swing arm; andlimiting the downward movement of the roll tube relative to the free endportion as the swing arm pivots across a middle portion of the containerso that the flexible cover is elevated above the container as the rolltube passes across the middle portion.
 22. The method according to claim21, wherein the step of winding the flexible cover continues until theflexible cover is fully wound onto the roll tube.
 23. The methodaccording to claim 22, wherein the flexible cover is connected to thecontainer below the one side and the step of winding continues until thewound cover is immediately adjacent the connected end of the cover. 24.The method according to claim 21, wherein the step of limiting thedownward movement of the roll tube only occurs at the middle portion ofthe container.
 25. A deployment apparatus for a flexible cover sized tocover an open-topped container, the flexible cover connected at one endto the container and having an opposite end connected to a roll tube,said deployment apparatus comprising: a swing arm having a length from apivot end to a free end thereof sized so that said free end extendsadjacent the open top of the container; a pivot mount connected to oneend of the container and including; a bearing element slidinglysupporting said swing arm at said pivot end thereof to permittranslation of said swing arm relative to said bearing element along theaxis of said swing arm; and a torsion spring pack disposed between thecontainer and said bearing element to apply a torque therebetween topivot said swing arm; and a support assembly rotatably supporting theroll tube on said free end of said swing arm.
 26. The deploymentapparatus according to claim 25, wherein said swing arm includes a stopdisposed thereon and operable to bear against said bearing element tolimit the translation of said swing arm relative thereto.
 27. Thedeployment apparatus according to claim 26, wherein said stop is a firststop disposed between said free end of said swing arm and said bearingelement.
 28. The deployment apparatus according to claim 27, whereinsaid swing arm includes a second stop disposed thereon with said bearingelement disposed between said first stop and said second stop.
 29. Thedeployment apparatus according to claim 25, wherein: said pivot mountincludes a housing configured to contain said torsion spring pack; andsaid bearing element is mounted on said housing.
 30. The deploymentapparatus according to claim 25, wherein: said pivot mount includes ahousing configured to contain said torsion spring pack; and said bearingelement includes a number of rollers rotatably mounted within saidhousing and configured for rotating contact with said swing armextending through said housing.
 31. The deployment apparatus accordingto claim 30, wherein said number of rollers includes two rollers bearingone side of said swing arm and one roller bearing on an opposite side ofsaid swing arm.
 32. The deployment apparatus according to claim 30,wherein said swing arm has a circular cross-section.
 33. The deploymentapparatus according to claim 25, wherein said support assembly includesa drive assembly supporting the roll tube and operable to rotate theroll tube so that the flexible cover winds onto or unwinds from the rolltube.
 34. The deployment apparatus according to claim 33, wherein saiddrive assembly includes: a support plate; a drive motor mounted on saidsupport plate; a transmission mechanism connecting said drive motor tothe roll tube; and a bearing assembly for slidably supporting saidsupport plate on said swing arm.
 35. The deployment apparatus accordingto claim 33, wherein said support assembly includes a drive assemblysupporting the roll tube and operable to rotate the roll tube, saiddrive assembly including a reversible motor operable to wind and unwindthe flexible cover around the roll tube.
 36. A method for deploying aflexible cover sized to cover an open-topped container, the flexiblecover connected at one end to one side of the container and having anopposite free end connected to a roll tube that is deployable across thecontainer to the other side thereof, the method comprising the steps of:providing a swing arm pivotably and slidably mounted to the container topivot between the sides of the container and to translate relative tothe container along the axis of the swing arm, the swing arm having afree end portion extending adjacent the open top of the container;supporting the roll tube on the free end portion of the swing arm;winding the flexible cover onto the roll tube so that tension in theflexible cover as it is wound onto the roll tube pulls the swing armtoward the one side of the container and so that the tension in thecover causes the swing arm to translate relative to the container; andlimiting the downward movement of the swing relative to the container asthe swing arm pivots across a middle portion of the container so thatthe flexible cover is elevated above the container as the roll tubepasses across the middle portion.
 37. The method according to claim 36,wherein the step of winding the flexible cover continues until theflexible cover is fully wound onto the roll tube.
 38. The methodaccording to claim 36, wherein the flexible cover is connected to thecontainer below the one side and the step of winding continues until thewound cover is immediately adjacent the connected end of the cover. 39.The method according to claim 36, wherein the step of limiting thedownward translation of the swing arm only occurs at the middle portionof the container.